Milliliter to Cup Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert milliliters to cups with our free online volume converter.
Milliliter to Cup Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Milliliter).
- The converted value in Cup will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Volume category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Milliliter to Cup
Converting Milliliter to Cup involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Milliliter = 0.00422675 cupsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 milliliters: 10 × 0.00422675 = 0.0422675 cups
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Milliliter and a Cup?
The milliliter (symbol mL or ml) is a metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter (1/1000 L). It is also equivalent to exactly one cubic centimeter (1 cm³). The milliliter is widely used in scientific measurements, medicine, and cooking.
The cup is a unit of volume used in cooking and measurements. The most common definition is the US customary cup (approx. 236.59 ml), but other definitions exist (e.g., metric cup = 250 ml).
Note: The Milliliter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Cup belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Milliliter and Cup
The milliliter derives directly from the liter, established in France in 1795. As the metric system gained international acceptance, prefixes like 'milli-' (meaning one-thousandth) were applied to base units to create smaller or larger units. The equivalence 1 mL = 1 cm³ is a fundamental relationship in the metric system.
The cup evolved as a traditional, informal unit of measurement in cooking, often related to the size of a typical teacup.
Common Uses for milliliters and cups
Explore the typical applications for both Milliliter (metric) and Cup (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for milliliters
- Medicine: Measuring liquid medicines and dosages.
- Laboratory: Laboratory work involving small liquid volumes (pipettes, burettes).
- Culinary: Cooking and baking recipes, especially for liquids.
- Packaging: Volume measurements on small containers (e.g., cosmetics, travel-size toiletries).
- Science: Scientific notation for small volumes.
Common Uses for cups
- Cooking: Widely used in recipes, especially in North America, for measuring both liquid and dry ingredients.
- Beverages: Measuring coffee and tea portions in home brewing.
- Breakfast: Portioning breakfast cereals and grains.
- Staple Foods: Measuring rice, pasta, and other staple foods before cooking.
- Baking: Used in baking for flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients.
- Storage: Common unit for household food storage containers.
- Nutrition: Measuring serving sizes in dietary guidelines and nutrition information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Milliliter (mL)
Is a milliliter the same as a cubic centimeter (cc)?
Yes, 1 milliliter (mL) is exactly equal to 1 cubic centimeter (cm³ or cc). The terms are often used interchangeably, especially in medical and automotive contexts (e.g., engine displacement often uses cc).
How many milliliters are in a liter?
There are 1,000 milliliters (mL) in 1 liter (L).
Is mL or ml the correct symbol?
Both are technically correct and commonly understood. Similar to the liter (L/l), the capitalized version 'mL' is often preferred in publishing and medicine to avoid confusion between 'l' and the number '1'.
About Cup (cup)
Is a cup the same everywhere?
No, the volume of a "cup" can vary significantly by region (e.g., US customary ≈ 237 mL, US legal = 240 mL, metric = 250 mL, imperial ≈ 284 mL). This converter primarily uses the US customary cup unless otherwise specified in the context of a specific conversion pair.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
In the US customary system, there are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup. This is a useful conversion to remember for scaling recipes up or down, especially when working with smaller quantities.
Is a dry cup different from a liquid cup?
Yes, in the US customary system, there is a distinction between dry and liquid cup measurements. While they have the same volume (8 fluid ounces), they are measured differently. Liquid cups are typically measured to the brim in a liquid measuring cup, while dry cups are measured by filling and leveling off in a dry measuring cup. For precise cooking results, it's best to use the appropriate measuring tool for each type of ingredient.
Conversion Table: Milliliter to Cup
| Milliliter (mL) | Cup (cup) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.004 |
| 5 | 0.021 |
| 10 | 0.042 |
| 25 | 0.106 |
| 50 | 0.211 |
| 100 | 0.423 |
| 500 | 2.113 |
| 1,000 | 4.227 |